Introduction
An inflammation of the nerves (Latin: neuritis) describes the inflammation of peripheral nerves or of cranial nerves. If only a single nerve is affected, it is called mononeuritis; if several nerves are inflamed, it is called polyneuritis or polyneuropathy. The symptoms of nerve inflammation depend entirely on which nerve is affected and to what extent.
Overview of causes of nerve inflammation
There are several causes for nerve inflammation. These include, among others: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic form of nerve inflammation. Here too, the myelin sheaths of the nerves are attacked, but in the central nervous system, i.e. in the brain and spinal cord tissue. In principle, any nerve can be affected by an inflammation of the nerves, which is why very different symptoms occur, depending on which function can no longer be fulfilled by the respective nerve.
- Viral or bacterial infections
- Traumatic injuries caused by accidents
- Toxins (poisonous substances) such as alcohol or medication
- Harmful metabolic products
- Autoimmune disease such as Guillan-Barré syndrome
- Pressure effect on nerves, e.g. in case of a herniated disc
Therapy
Since the spectrum of diseases that can accompany nerve inflammation is very broad, it is not possible to make a generally valid statement about the duration of nerve inflammation. While the duration of Guillain-Barré syndrome as an example of acute nerve inflammation can be estimated at a few weeks to a few months, multiple sclerosis is an incurable disease and accompanies those affected throughout their lives. In the case of vestibular neuritis, most patients are free of symptoms after about 6 to 12 weeks, even if impairments in the function of the vestibular organ can be detected over a longer period of time with the aid of apparatus-based examinations. Regardless of the cause, however, the following generally applies: An early start of treatment and consistent adherence to the therapy guidelines can in most cases have a considerable positive effect on the duration of the nerve inflammation. So if you have such symptoms, do not hesitate too long to see your doctor and, if necessary, make sure that you take the prescribed medication regularly or keep to your physiotherapy appointments.
